Prepping For The Party

I look at Edith and shake my head in shock.

"What was that about? If this is because I almost fell off the steps then he doesn't need to feel sorry for me. I don't know him or any of the others, Why would I want to go to his party? What do I do with that?"

"To be honest I'm not sure I know exactly what this is all about. He did ask me if I wanted to come as well. So maybe they want us to serve the cake. I will be with you so we can check things out. You know I love you like my own but you do need to get out more. I say let's go together."

"Okay well if your willing to go as well I guess I can go with you. But we are not dressed for a party. I mean even if we are going to just serve for them you would think we would need to be dressed better."

"You know what sweety I have a gift for you, you can use it tonight. Give me a minute I have to go get it."

As Edith walks away I get back up on the step stool to hang the garland when I noticed it was finished. I was a bit shocked and amazed, I wonder if he did it to make up for knocking me off the stool. After looking at it for a minute I pull the stool over to the window to start hanging the garland there. While I was working at the window Edith comes back out to the lobby.

"Okay sweety I was going to wait till Christmas but I think you can use this tonight. I hope you like it."

With that Edith hands me a large box and a small box. As I set them on the table I notice my hands are shaking. I set the small one to the left of the table and I slowly take the lid off the large box. I set the lid on the bench and pull back the tissue paper. Inside the box is the most beautiful light blue dress. It has spaghetti straps and a low neck line. It will show off my chest without making me look like a tramp. As I pull the dress out of the box I noticed it also had a matching shall. As I put it in front of me I can see that it goes about two inches past my knees. I put it back in the box and open the smaller box, in it I find a beautiful pair of flats in the same shade as the dress. I put the shoes back in the box and then I turn and hug Edith.

"They are beautiful, thank you so much. I absolutely love them."

She hugs me back then pulls away and tells me to close them up and put them away because the lunch crowd will be coming soon so we need to get ready. I hurry to close the boxes and put them away. Then we get to work.

Fifteen minutes after I get back downstairs we get everything set out as the first group comes in. Once we get all the special orders out the normal people start coming in. We are completely sold out by two in the afternoon. While I am taking orders Edith is in back cooking up a storm. We barely manage to keep up with the demand. At four Edith decides she has had enough. She has me close and lock the door and I go back to help her clean up. When I walk into the kitchen I see Edith rubbing aloe onto her hand, She got burnt again. I walk over to her and take her hand in mine. I hold one hand over the burn and in seconds it is gone. When I am done she smiles at me and hugs me. Then we both get to work cleaning the room. Once we are done we head upstairs to her apartment and get ready for the party.

"How did you burn your hand today?"

"I pulled out the strawberry tarts a bit fast and almost dropped them. I ended up leaning a little to far over and burnt myself. But thanks to you I'm good as new."

We both go upstairs and she points me to the guest bathroom while she goes to get own. After we both shower and dress we head into the kitchen for a light dinner. We talk about the special orders for tomorrow and our plans for making the extra cakes and pastries for the store. Then I start asking about what might be happening at the party and when we find out what we will be doing. Then at 5:45 p.m. we hear the doorbell so we go downstairs. Waiting at the door is Mathew and one of his friends. Edith opens the door and Mathew hugs her then turns and tells me I look beautiful. I am in shock, no one but my parents and Edith have ever said I'm pretty. After a second I say thank you and shake his hand. He introduces me to his friend Tim and then we all head out to the car. Tim gets in the driver seat and Edith gets in the passenger seat. Then Mathew gets in the back seat with me.